Not to be argumentative, I've been thinking that at snub .38 special velocities (800-850fps) you could/should use a very soft alloy to get any kind of upset in the target. I keep thinking of the old muzzleloaders shooting round, pure lead bullets at relatively low velocity, that would punch all the way through game animals and be a big flattened piece of lead on the other side.
I know that for several years, the most recommended load for .38 special was the Federal Nyclad, which was basically a pure lead bullet with a soft nylon coating to help keep "lead vapors/dust" down.
These are just random musings on my part... what do you guys think?